...Press Release...

May 15, 2007

Families Day an opportunity to reflect

We should mark Families Day by acting to protect our families from harm says the Problem Gambling Foundation.

"Technology that was supposed to have given us more leisure time has resulted in people working ever increasing hours, and technology that was supposed to benefit the community is causing misery and despair," said CEO, John Stansfield.

"Pokie machines are a good example of why we should think carefully about the impact technology can have on our families."

"Just last week we had another case of children being left to fend for themselves while their mother gambled on the pokie machines."

"The tragedy is not just that this type of behaviour is occurring regularly but that it is entirely preventable."

"The same technology that brings us the problem can also provide the solutions. We just don't seem to care about our families enough to insist on it."

Mr Stansfield says that the Families Day theme of work/life balance highlights an important issue.

"We are not powerless. We can take control of the various factors that affect our lives if we choose to. It is simply a matter of exercising the free will we were born with."

"We need to organise society so it is as safe and secure as possible. Too many families are being destroyed by gambling and it is preventable."

ends

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